The uncodified section of HB 491 makes several adjustments to graduation options available to the classes of 2019 and 2020. The adjustments extend graduation requirements to students who entered ninth grade for the first time between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2017, by amending Am. Sub. HB 49 language, which created additional options for the class of 2018. These same requirements also extend to the class of 2020, but with some additional changes.
In another uncodified section of the bill, the General Assembly notes that it intends to continue discussions about high school graduation requirements for students in the classes of 2020 and beyond. As a result, the uncodified section also provides an April 1, 2019 deadline for the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to provide its recommendations regarding long-term proposals for diploma requirements, and a transition plan to allow adequate time for implementation of new requirements.
You can find more information about the specific requirements for the classes of 2019 and 2020 on the Ohio Graduation Requirements page of ODE’s website.